Incredible Photography (south of Houston area) Friday, May 29 2009

We have a dear friend who is an incredible photographer locally.

Check out her website

www.momentsbeforetomorrow.com

Then call her up for your spring and family pics!

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For the Gardener – for the Church Friday, May 29 2009

At 7:30 a.m. I went outside for coffee with my husband on the patio. As we sat there watching birds my eyes were drawn to the flowers that needed deadheading, the grass and weeds growing, and the work that needed done.  Here in Houston, you must garden early.  Our semi-tropical temperatures rise quickly.

Weeding is like dealing with demons in our lives.

Everyone gets their garments dirtied and filled with burrs walking in the fields of life.  We all pick up what I have learned to call extra-terrestrials a.k.a. demons from time to time.  Our wedding garment has burrs, spots of mud, and gets wrinkled. The burrs are malicious things that attach themselves to you, the mud is a mix of water and dirt (the fleshly attitudes that mimic spiritual ones) and the wrinkles are types of pride – when you’re all caught up in yourself.

With weeding, you need to be constantly vigilant.  Your eyes must always be sweeping the garden.  You need also to get at the roots of the weed, or they consider being pulled up a pruning and grow back stronger and bigger.  You cannot give up.  You must keep pulling them up, even the tiny ones.  You must work – even in the heat.

Deadheading flowers is like de-cluttering your life.

For the garden to look pretty all the time, and the flowers to flourish you must remove the dead flower petals.

It’s like the things you once loved but are no longer serviceable but must be dusted – dead flowers hang there attracting attention, yes, demanding attention.  They take up valuable time and space.  They suck up life from the plant that other blossoms and leaves need.

Our container pots were getting dry and needed water.

That is like those five-fold ministers who are placed in specific positions – away from constant watering – they desperately need the encouragement and watering of the Word.  They can die without it.

It was getting hotter as I worked. My goal is to weed at least an hour every day until I can see no more weeds.  (They loved the 17” of rain we received 3 weeks ago.)  When I finished the sun was quite bright, hot enough to break a sweat (glow.)  I thought of Song of Songs 1:6 – I am dark, but lovely (in His sight.)

This experience and understand is for us, the church, to be vigilant, don’t give up, be tough on weeds, keep the garden of your life beautiful for all to enjoy!  It will be more than worth it on that day when HE comes!

Be Vigilant! Be tough on weeds!

Isaiah 58:11-12 The LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell.

Song of Songs 2:10-13 My beloved responded and said to me, ‘ Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along. For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines, and the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. The fig tree has ripened its figs, and the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along!’

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Wonderful Things about Grandparenting Thursday, May 28 2009

My friend Susie Ahern sent this to me this morning – and as I read it and re-read it I couldn’t stop giggling. Scott and I are beginner grandparents now to our son Chris and Sara’s babe Ellie Grace.  She will arrive around August 8th!

Here ya go – parents, grandparents, grandchildren – and anyone else needing a good chuckle.

WONDERFUL THINGS ABOUT BEING A GRANDPARENT

WHAT IS A GRANDPARENT?

(Taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds)

• Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people’s.

• A grandfather is a man and a grandmother is a lady!

• Grandparents don’t have to do anything except be there when we come to see them.  They are so old they shouldn’t play hard or run.  It is good if they drive us to the shops and give us money.

• When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.

• They show us and talk to us about the colors of the flowers and also why we shouldn’t step on ‘cracks.’

• They don’t say, ‘Hurry up.’

• Usually grandmothers are fat but not too fat to tie your shoes.

• They wear glasses and funny underwear.

• They can take their teeth and gums out.

• Grandparents don’t have to be smart.

• They have to answer questions like ‘Why isn’t God married?’ and ‘How come dogs chase cats?’

• When they read to us, they don’t skip…  They don’t mind if we ask for the same story over again.

• Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don’t have television because they are the only grownups who like to spend time with us.

• They know we should have snack time before bed time, and they say prayers with us and kiss us even when we’ve acted bad.

• A 6-year old was asked where his Grandma lived.  “Oh,” he said, ”She lives at the airport, and when we want her we just go get her.  Then when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”

• Grandpa is the smartest man on earth!  He teaches me good things, but I don’t get to see him enough to get as smart as he is!

• It’s funny when they bend over; you hear gas leaks, and they blame their dog.

CUTE STORIES ABOUT GRANDPARENTS AND GRANDCHILDREN

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she’d done many times before.  After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, ‘But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!’   I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye!!

2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday.  He asked me how old I was, and I told him, ‘62.’  He was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, ‘Did you start at 1?’

3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair.  As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin.  Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings.  As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, ‘Who was THAT?’

4. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: ‘We used to skate outside on a pond.  I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard.  We rode our pony.  We picked wild raspberries in the woods.’  The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in.  At last she said, ‘I sure wish I’d gotten to know you sooner!’

5. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, ‘Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?’  I mentally polished my halo and I said, ‘No, how are we alike?” You’re both old,’ he replied.

6. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather’s word processor.  She told him she was writing a story.  ’What’s it about?’ he asked. ‘I don’t know,’ she replied.  ’I can’t read!”

7. I didn’t know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her.  I would point out something and ask what color it was.  She would tell me and was always correct.  It was fun for me, so I continued.  At last she headed for the door, saying, ‘Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these yourself!’

8. When my grandson Melvin and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects.  Still, a few fireflies followed us in.  Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, ‘It’s no use Grandpa.  Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights.’

9. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, ‘I’m not sure.’  ’Look in your underwear, Grandpa,’ he advised.  ’Mine says I’m four to six.’

10. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, ‘Grandma, guess what?  We learned how to make babies today.’   The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool.  ’That’s interesting,’ she said, ‘how do you make babies? ”It’s simple,’ replied the girl. ‘You just change ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’.’

11. Children’s Logic: ‘Give me a sentence about a public servant,’ said a teacher.  The small boy wrote: ‘The fireman came down the ladder pregnant.’  The teacher took the lad aside to correct him.  ’Don’t you know what pregnant means?’ she asked. ‘Sure,’ said the young boy confidently. ‘It means carrying a child.’

12. A nursery school teacher was delivering a station wagon full of kids home one day when a fire truck zoomed past.  Sitting in the front seat of the truck was a Dalmatian dog.  The children started discussing the dog’s duties.  ’They use him to keep crowds back,’ said one child.  ’No,’ said another, ‘He’s just for good luck.’   A third child brought the argument to a close.  ’They use the dogs,’ she said firmly, ‘to find the fire hydrants.

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Many believers are sleeping! Thursday, May 28 2009

Twice in the last 2 days I was talking to friends  how it appears that believers are sleeping and falling asleep more than I’ve ever seen in the 39 years of being saved.  They agreed.

Church Asleep
Sorry – artist unknown.

I wondered how could I say, “Shake sleep” without offending those who are falling asleep and think they are just fine.  Then I saw these scriptures as I studied.

John 15:18-27 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘ A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also.

If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well.  But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’

When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is  the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,  and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

This is what caught my eye – the very next verse (John 16:1)
These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.

Many of us are so busy pleasing people, satisfying the needs of others – we have fallen short of loving the Lord.  Thus the cares of this world have lulled us to sleep.  Many of love this world so much – we are afraid to be hated for His Name’s sake – and live lives of compromise and complacency.

Revelation 16:15 Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.

The Spirit of the Lord says to “Awake, beloved friends!  Awake from sleep.  Shake it off and watch to see what I am about to do for those who will pursue Me!  The reward is for those who overcome!”

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Hope for troubled times! Friday, May 22 2009

I spent a protracted time alone with Lord today – and these passages meant so much to me.  Perhaps they will bless and encourage you, and give you hope for troubled times.  There is no need to fear ~ our God is an awesome God, loving Father, and abundant provider!

Psalm 119:137-160

Morning Food for Thought

^137-144 You are right and you do right, God; your decisions are right on target. You rightly instruct us in how to live ever faithful to you. My rivals nearly did me in; they persistently ignored your commandments. Your promise has been tested through and through, and I, your servant, love it dearly. I’m too young to be important, but I don’t forget what you tell me. Your righteousness is eternally right; your revelation is the only truth. Even though troubles came down on me hard, your commands always gave me delight. The way you tell me to live is always right; help me understand it so I can live to the fullest.

^145-152 I call out at the top of my lungs, “God! Answer! I’ll do whatever you say.” I called to you, “Save me so I can carry out all your instructions.” I was up before sunrise, crying for help, hoping for a word from you. I stayed awake all night, prayerfully pondering your promise. In your love, listen to me; in your justice, God, keep me alive. As those out to get me come closer and closer, they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal; But you’re the closest of all to me, God, and all your judgments true. I’ve known all along from the evidence of your words that you meant them to last forever.

^153-160 Take a good look at my trouble, and help me— I haven’t forgotten your revelation. Take my side and get me out of this; give me back my life, just as you promised. “Salvation” is only gibberish to the wicked because they’ve never looked it up in your dictionary. Your mercies, God, run into the billions; following your guidelines, revive me. My antagonists are too many to count, but I don’t swerve from the directions you gave. I took one look at the quitters and was filled with loathing; they walked away from your promises so casually! Take note of how I love what you tell me; out of your life of love, prolong my life. Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth.  Your righteous decisions are eternal.

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We NEED one another! Thursday, May 21 2009

People are isolating themselves and not communicating the way they used to do.  Younger people typically rely on electronic means of interaction (needing no personal contact at all) and older people are busy with “retirement.” Everyone in the middle is getting a degree, raising families, working and trying hard to make ends meet.

Add to that the troubled times we live in and the coming of the end of the age with demonic activities increasing.  We see the calling of evil good, and good – being called evil more and more each day.

That partially explains why people are more and more isolating themselves.

It explains why people don’t fellowship one with another but are content to see one another once a week at a distance.

God says we are a Body of believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-20) and as such interdependent one upon the other.  We need the sharing of hearts, ideas, and vision.  We need to be there for one another personally and with love in all of life’s hard times as well as the good ones.  We are to celebrate Jesus until He comes together!

Considering this – how should we treat one another?  How should we communicate?  How can we live together, seeking one another out and serving one another?

The following Bible Study I did in 1996 will answer those questions.

THE “ONE ANOTHER’S” IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

(All scriptures NKJV unless otherwise noted.)

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another

John 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

1 John 3:11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

1 John 4:7, 11, 12 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God…Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

2 John 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.

BE KINDLY AFFECTIONATE ONE TO ANOTHER

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.

PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.

DON‘T JUDGE ONE ANOTHER

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

RECEIVE ONE ANOTHER

Romans 15:7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH A HOLY KISS

Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

2 Corinthians 13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss

1 Corinthians 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

BE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER

Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

FORGIVING, FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER

Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

ADMONISH, EXHORT, TEACH AND PROVOKE ONE ANOTHER

Romans 15:14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Hebrews 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

COMFORT ONE ANOTHER, EDIFY ONE ANOTHER

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

SERVE ONE ANOTHER

Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

BE SUBMISSIVE ONE TO ANOTHER

Ephesians 5:21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

1 Peter 5:5 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

I’ll probably tell my age and something about my past with this quote,

“Let’s Get Together!”

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Power to Get Wealth 2009 Thursday, May 21 2009

We are totally jazzed about the Power to Get Wealth Conference we’re attending in Ft. Worth June 18 – 19 at the DFW Marriott Solana.

Every year our own assets and financial understanding has increased exponentially.  It is sound Biblical and financial wisdom for every strata of our world.  It is about the power to create wealth – and that’s great news today!

Wonderful Christian speakers impart information we can actually use right away – topics include;

• Recession Proof Your Mentality
• Doing Business God’s Way
• Kingdom Warfare
• BluePrint for Wealth Building
• Business and Investment Strategies
• Finding Capitol
• Beyond Tithes
• Witty Inventions

Some of this year’s speakers are John P. Kelly, Michael Cozakas, Lance Wallnau, Larry Keefauver, Joseph Mattera, Mark Pfeifer, Patrick Ondrey, Lt. Col. Marie Juliano (Ret.), Ed Turose, Richard Jordan and more.

Here’s how to register – go to www.ICWBF.com

1. ON LINE: Register online at www.ICWBF.com – Click on the Power To Get Wealth tab.
2. BY MAIL: Send your completed registration form with payment to: ICWBF | PO BOX 820067 | Ft. Worth, TX 76180
3. BY FAX: Fax your completed registration form with credit card information to: 817.232.1290

And you can always call the ICWBF office at 817-232-5815 or you can click on the International Christian Wealth Builders Foundation url at the left of this message for more information about the ICWBF.

See you there!

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Wisdom for successful living Wednesday, May 20 2009

Blue Iris

Proverbs 24:3-5

By wisdom a house is built.
And by understanding it is established.
And by knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.

Proverbs 16:9

We should make plans counting on God to direct us.

Julie-isms

Live like we have only today – plan like we have eternity.
Serve God cheerfully…who wants to be around a bore?
Treasure your family – and protect your friendships.

Money comes and money goes; serve it and you die, hoard it and you die with it.
So the smart one saves what they need for the life they live avoiding debt and
they sow it in fruitful fields and are forever blessed.

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Pam Bluemel – Woman of God, Woman of Sorrow – Triumphant Worshipper. Saturday, May 9 2009

This touching email is from my friend, Pam Bluemel, whom I’ve known since I hosted her marriage to Jim Sloan in my yard. When Jim died, Pam was single awhile and then married another friend, Craig Bluemel (www.bibleanswerstand.org.)  Craig died June 2007, and Jim’s daughter Julie died less than a month ago giving birth.  A few days ago Craig’s nephew, Erik (a DU law professor) died.

What heartbreak, what sorrow upon sorrow.

We can never really know how our lives touch others, how we are salt and light unless you get an email like this.  But we must live to bless and be a blessing – live to serve, live to die and live so that in that moment in time when you have no words to comfort your family member or your friend – Jesus will have the words and you hear them to give to them.  Unless you are willing to wash their feet – and love as He loves – they will remain needy.

Hi Julie,

Tonight after tucking Noah in, I took some time to answer some email and look up a few things on the Internet—something I’ve rarely had time for since coming to California.

I just read your blog. Thank you for what you wrote about me and “the most important thing”. What resonated with me was your comment regarding worship. Julie, it was my nightly worship hour that got me through the loss of Craig—a time to pour out my grief and praise before the Lord. (What a blessing my iPod has been, with so many songs at the touch of a button). And it has made the difference in the weeks since losing Julie. I have music playing most of the time in the home, though we do listen to “Your Story Hour”, “Veggie Tales”, “Life at the Pond” and a few other stories the kids enjoy J

I was talking with someone who stopped by the house earlier this week. She said if she’d gone through what we were, she didn’t know how she could believe in God. To which I responded, “I don’t know how I would get up in the morning without believing in God”.

My prayer is summed up in the opening sentence of the song, “One Desire”:

If I could have one desire, before my life is through,

Even in my darkest night, my light would shine for You

So much more I could write…but it’s getting late and the children will be up early.

I love you Julie…thank you for your faithfulness to pray.

I love you!

Pammy

Please continue to lift Pam and her extended family up to the Lord.

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Southern Charm Friday, May 8 2009

Two informally dressed ladies happened to start up a conversation during an endless wait in the LAX airport.

The first lady was an arrogant California woman married to a wealthy man.

The second was a well-mannered elderly woman from the South.

When the conversation centered on whether they had any children, the California woman started by saying, “When my first child was born, my husband built a beautiful mansion for me.”

The lady from the South commented, “Well, isn’t that precious?”

The first woman continued, “When my second child was born, my husband bought me a beautiful Mercedes-Benz.”

Again, the lady from the South commented, “Well, isn’t that precious?”

The first woman continued boasting, “Then when my third child was born, my husband bought me this exquisite diamond bracelet.”

Yet again, the Southern lady commented, “Well, isn’t that precious?”

The first woman then asked her companion, “What did your husband buy for you when you had your first child?”

“My husband sent me to charm school,” declared the Southern lady.

“Charm school?” the 1^st woman cried, “Oh my!  What on earth for?”

The Southern lady responded, “Well, for example,

instead of saying ‘Who gives a hoot?’

I learned to say, “Well, isn’t that precious.”

Ya just gotta love it!  Southern women are in a class all by themselves.
They are amazingly gracious in every situation – and now I know why!

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